House probe on brutal attack against human rights lawyer in Iloilo City sought

MANILA, Philippines — Eight lawmakers are seeking a House of Representatives investigation into the brutal attack of lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen, who is included in the 37 petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act before the Supreme Court.

Lawmakers Edcel Lagman,  Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte,  Carlos Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, Ferdinand Gaite, Arlene Brosas, France Castro and Sarah Jane Elago filed a resolution on Wednesday, calling on the House panel on human rights to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation over the incident.

Angelo Karlo “AK” Guillen. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

It was on March 3 when Guillen was brutally stabbed by still unknown assailants while the human rights lawyer was on his way home in Iloilo City.

Guillen, a human rights lawyer, had previously been Red-tagged as he represents 16 members of the indigenous Tumandok who were arrested in Capiz and Iloilo provinces on Dec. 30, 2020, for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and for alleged links to communist rebels.

In the resolution, the lawmakers said that Congress should also lend its “legislative hands”  when members of the legal profession are attacked.

“When members of the legal profession, especially those rendering pro bono services and public interest lawyers who counsel for the marginalized and underprivileged sectors in society,  are under attack, Congress should be there, too, to also lend its legislative hands and deflect the assault coming from the undemocratic elements of our society,” the resolution read.

From June 2016 to January 2021, there are already 56 judges and lawyers killed.

JE